The two firms, which have reportedly been in a formal association for four to five years, have now lodged an official application to form a joint venture in Malaysia. DAC Beachcroft is the latest in a string of UK law firms moving to set down roots in the Malaysian legal market, which has been slowly liberalising since changes to the Legal Profession Act cracked it open to foreign players in 2014. In addition to its status as a regional business hub, Malaysia's healthy markets for Islamic finance, arbitration and construction have also proven to be strong drawcards for foreign firms.

Insurance boosted

Gan Partnership already boasts a strong commercial and corporate practice with emphasis on dispute resolution and intellectual property. However, the JV with DAC would help bolster the Malaysian firm's offerings in insurance and reinsurance practice areas while broadening the London-headquartered firm's presence in South-East Asia. Source: Legal Business